Wikis and Web Pages

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Your website is your digital kingdom, a place where you can share your brand story, connect people directly to your company and make that all-important first impression."
-- Dan Newman, president of Broadsuite, writing at Entrepreneur online

What are they?

It is important these days to have a web presence. That can mean your own wiki, blog, website, moodle account, D2L site, etc. Select your purpose and audience then explore the option that works best for you.


Assignment:

  1. You will be starting your own wiki, blog or website for this course. We will be using this site to post information for others to view and access. Select the tool you would like to use and sign up for it. I recommend using Wikispaces but you may elect to use something different. If you are using wikispaces, signup for the free site as either a teacher or student. Follow the directions to confirm you are a real person not a bot. Use your UWOshkosh email address or personal email address for contact information. If you use your personal email address it will still be good after your graduate. An angle to consider!
    Note: To simplify instructions in this course I will refer to this site as a wiki even if it is a blog or webpage.
    • To signup for a free wikispace wiki, select Education option, register as a Teacher, signup for a free account, make it public so we can see it. To ensure that only real people are requesting wikis they ask for a phone number which they can call to verify your site. When they call they will gave a passcode to enter to verify the account. Be sure your phone is working, the phone number is only good for one try. Once you get the passcode and enter it change your permissions to Protected (everyone can view pages, but only members of this wiki can edit pages). This is all under the wiki permissions. The following instructions walk you through this process. The example isn't for a teacher but the process works the same.
  2. When you are creating your page be sure to make it open to the public so we can see your work. Do not however let us edit it. Depending on which type of wiki you have (classroom or classic), follow the instructions below.

    Click on Settings (far right in red band), Permissions, Protected, Update.
    wiki permissions f13.jpg
    Or Settings, Permissions, Protected.
    wiki settings.jpg
  3. Click again on Settings and select either a Wiki (classic, what mine is) or Classroom. Try both looks to see what you like best. I'm sticking with the classic look at this point.
  4. Still in settings, select your Themes and Colors. Some are only available for Classroom, others for the Classic Wiki. Select what you would most like.
  5. Type something on your page using your editing tools. If you have a classic wiki just press the edit icon. If you have a Classroom wiki, place your cursor in the "Welcome to Your Classroom" box, an arrow will appear on your far right, put your cursor on the arrow, under the arrow will be Edit, select it.
  6. Create your homepage and at least one other page called "Above and Beyond." Explore the how-to videos on the site to figure out what to do. Try to put at least some text on each page. We will then work on them more in class including how to insert graphics, files, links, widgets, videos, tables and more.
  7. On your homepage you will eventually include your name, photo, the focus of this wiki (to document your technology skills), a message to your viewers, a welcoming podcast (created later in the semester), a qr code, and anything else you would like. Make page warm, inviting and reflective of the teacher you intend to be.
  8. Email the address of your wiki to me cramer@uwosh.edu

Due Sept 13, midnight

Tips
  • Blank line -- Return and Shift
  • Force item to top of alphabetical list -- start file name with a space
  • Gray line separating sections -- called a horizontal rule, is the blue line to the right of the 123 and bullets on Wikispaces tool bar
  • Photo beside text -- use a table
  • Screen shots -- see Handy Tools page
  • Lost navigation on wiki page -- Scroll down to "I’m still not sure the default navigation bar works for me". You will find the instructions you need. http://blog.wikispaces.com/2011/04/introducing-the-new-and-improved-navigation-bar.html

Dr Cramer's demo wiki.

Why create a web presence for your classroom?
Because that's where information is.... Here's the Internet in Real Time:

Click the animation to open the full version (via PennyStocks.la).
Resources
  1. Tips for a Good-Looking Wiki
  2. Advanced Customizations for your Wiki
  3. Everything You Need To Know About Setting Up A Class Blog--- http://theedublogger.com/2010/01/05/week-1-create-a-class-blog/
    creating a class blog 9 steps total.
  4. Check to see who is viewing your Wikispaces wiki and how often Wiki Stats
  5. Explore what the difference is between a wiki and a blog by viewing these videos:
    Wikis -- http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english
    Blogs -- http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
  6. Read: Use a Web Site to Help Manage Your Classroom
  7. Read:154 Ways to Use Moodle -- Many school districts use Moddle for their cms/lms (content /learning management system -- think D2L).
  8. How social media can help teachers create hands-on projects
    Social media tools, such as Pinterest, can help math students improve their skills, writes Chicago-area middle-school math teacher Pauline Zdonek. In this blog, she outlines how she "pinned" sites to her page for a hands-on project for her students to create math notebooks to store their supplies and resources. To be effective, she suggests using social media for a specific, targeted project and be selective about which content to post, to keep from becoming overwhelmed. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (3/14)
  9. If you wish to go with a website, check out the following:
    1. 4 Easy Ways to Create a Website -- This article gives links to more articles on how to create websites and select a web hosting site.
      http://specials.about.com/service/newsletters/todaysl/1313082000.htm
    2. DreamWeaver is a professional level webpage software package. We have access to it in the computer labs. It's pretty expensive to purchase on your own unless you do a lot of web development. I have used it in the past and REALLY like it.
    3. Google Sites is a free Google tool to help you build your website. Check it out.
      http://sites.google.com
    4. Google Classroom will probably allow you to do what you need also. There are also many extensions you can add-on to help you teach using 1:1 devices such as the one discussed in this article.
      Get your students on the same (web)page, instantly